The Patient Cause Code describes the origin of the patient's condition. Although you can enter your own Cause Code for a patient, there are several predefined cause codes provided.
Predefined Cause Codes:
Blank: Not Applicable.
A - Auto. Accident
E - Emergency
O - Other
P - Pregnancy
S - Surgery
W - Work related
Tip: The Cause Code field is controlled by INSight's .PARAM record, which is set up during installation.
Where-Maintained:
You can view and maintain Patient Cause Codes during the Patient Entry - Balance Detail Window and during the Patient Entry - Referral Authorization Employer Areas.
Charge Entry Preferences Maintenance controls the default value and how you edit the Cause Code.
Tip: Although you can enter your own Cause Code at some windows, you must select one of the Cause Codes from the list for Charge Entry Preferences Maintenance.
The Charge Entry Batch Entry Window allows you to change the Cause Code, depending on the settings controlled by Charge Entry Preferences Maintenance.
The Charge Entry Location Provider Area allows you to change the Cause Code for the individual transactions, depending on the settings controlled by Charge Entry Preferences Maintenance.
Where-Used: Cause Codes are required for HCFA claim forms:
For Cause Code A(uto accidents), the associated Cause State prints in box 10b on the HCFA claim form. If the Cause State is blank, the state from the location of service prints instead.
For Cause Code E(mergency), Y prints in box 24i on the HCFA claim form. All other cause codes print N in box 24i on the claim form.
Format: predefined or up to 2 characters